A drug squad smashed their way into an East Kilbride flat during an early-morning raid sending out a clear message that drug crime will not be tolerated in our community.

The East Kilbride News joined East Kilbride police on their latest operation which resulted in a man and woman in their sixties being charged for possession of herbal cannabis.

Although the intended ‘subject’ of the raid, a 22-year-old man, was not found at the Westwood property, Sergeant James McCluskey this week hailed the operation a success.

Sgt McCluskey, who was leading last Wednesday’s operation, said the East Kilbride community has identified drug crime as a priority in the area and local officers are acting on it.

“When you’re doing these raids there are always highs and lows. Yes, you’re disappointed not to get the result you wanted but the positive is that you know the community are going to hear about it”, he said.

“Even if the East Kilbride News wasn’t there, people would still hear about the door going in which is going to have a good impact on the community. And if the subject continues to deal drugs, we will hear about it and target him again.”

A flat in Franklin Place was targeted by the drug squad (Image: East Kilbride News)

Nine months on from the introduction of a new community policing model which put local bobbies back on the beat, cops have seen a “dramatic increase” in intelligence coming through from members of the community.

The police now deal with 100 calls a day – 150 on weekends – and the number of drug warrants being carried out has spiked in recent weeks which Sgt McCluskey insists has had a knock-on effect on alcohol and violence reduction in the town.

“The new community policing model has helped solve alcohol-related and violent crime as well as drug crime”, he said.

“Members of the public are seeing familiar faces out on patrol and having the confidence to go up and speak to them. This has dramatically increased the intelligence we’re getting in about drug dealers in the area.”

A 43-year-old man was stopped by officers outside EK police station at around 2.30pm last Tuesday, February 6. It is claimed he was in possession of heroin with an estimated street value of £1000. He was charged in connection with alleged drugs offences and released on an undertaking to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court at a later date. A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

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“There’s a lot of experience in this team. They do a very professional job and deliver a message to the people who are involved in the sale and supply of drugs in East Kilbride – the local community don’t want this and we’re listening and acting in relation to that.

“All the teams here are dedicated day in and day out to making communities safer.”

Urging people to report drug dealers in their neighbourhoods, Insp Higgins added: “If you live on a street where someone is selling drugs and there’s people coming and going at all times of the day and night, that’s unacceptable.

“It’s criminal and against the law and precisely what we need to be told about so we can act upon it.”

Contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Inspector Aidan Higgins instructs his officers to keep control and stay safe during the raid (Image: East Kilbride News)

News reporter Andrea O’Neill was on the scene as officers raided an address in Westwood. Here is her account of Police Scotland’s swift and effective operation...

The adrenaline was pumping as I joined East Kilbride drug squad on a morning raid on an icy cold February morning.

A tip-off had led officers to a flat in Franklin Place where a 22-year-old man was suspected of being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

The possible dangers that lay ahead were made abundantly clear as we were briefed on potential weapons within the property and warned that violence was, as always, a very real threat.

The risk of a young child and two dogs being at home at the time was also thrown into the mix.

Maintaining control of the situation and the people involved during this visible and robust frontline policing tactic, we were told, was paramount.

Protected by body armour and a riot mask, an officer armed with a battering ram smashed through the front door of the flat. Making their presence heard, the team stormed inside and immediately exercised their powers to detect drugs and make an arrest.

This time the ‘subject’ was not present but a 64-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman were charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act after controlled drugs, believed to be one ounce of herbal cannabis, were found.